Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.130, No.26, 8164-8164, 2008
Synthetic nanomotors in microchannel networks: Directional microchip motion and controlled manipulation of cargo
We illustrate the used of catalytic nanowire motors for directional motion and microscale transport of cargo with microfluidic channel networks. The CNT-based synthetic nanomotor cna propel a large cargo load at high speeds through predetermined paths and junctions of the microchannel network. The magnetic properties of the nickel-containing nanomotors offer controlled cargo manipulations, including en-route load, drag, and release. Such use of synthetic nanomechines cand lead to chemically powered versaltile laboratory-on-a-chip devices performing a series of tasks simulltaneously or sequentially.